PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6629, 17 August 1931, Page 4

PALMERSTON PICTURE PROGRAMMES

PALACE THEATRE. ‘ ‘ THE PRODIGAL ’’ INTROD U OEb SINGER LAWRENCE TIBBETT IN MODERN ROLE. "la "The Prodigal," which is now at the Palace theatre, Lawrence Tibbett abandons his erstwhile swashbuckling lines and gay uniforms to appear for the first time in a strictly modern role. Information is that Metro-Goid-wyn-Mayer, anxious to get away from typical musical comedy plots, selected an original story which centres about the question of divorce in an aristocratic Southern family. This in no way deprives music lovers from hearing the Metropolitan Opera favourite sing, for the circumstances of the plot arc such as to contrive various episodes in which Tibbett sings a variety of songs as a natural part of the gripping story. Tibbett will be seen as a prodigal son who has been roaming the country with' a band of tramps. He stops off at his home to see his mother and for the first time becomes acquainted with his brother’s wife, Antonia. Antonia is miserably unhappy with her tyrannical husband and is about to elope with a former lover. In his attempts to preserve the family integrity, Tibbett succumbs to the charms of the bewitching Antonia and linds himself in a compromising position. The unravelling of the situation makes for an extremely dramatic screen plot. Scenes in • the "tramps’ ’’ camp are among the novelties of the production, it being probably the first time that this species of humanity lias been exploited in motion pictures. In these sequences Tibbett sings "Do Glory Road," a number which he has made famous on the concert stage. Another unusual phase of the picture is a spectacular negro barbecue scene in which Tibbett, together with a chorus of several hundred voices, sings "A Child Is Born" and "Chidlins, ” written by Herbert Stothart and Howard Josnson. Other songs sung at various points in the story are "Life Is a Dream," by Oscar Straus and Arthur Breed; "Without a Song," by Vincent Younmns, and a comic ballad called "Look Like Pappy." Much of the charm of this picture is credited to its picturesque locales, duplicatiug the languorous beauty of tho old South American plantation estates and colonial mansions. A colourful fox-hunting scone is said to bo a particularly artistic photographic achievement. A largo supporting cast was engaged for Tibbett’s third picture. Esther Ralston, remembered for "Fashions for Women" and "Peter Pan," has the feminine lead. Roland Young, last seen in "New Moon,” and Cliff Edwards share comedy roles as two of tho tramps. Others include Purnoll B. Pratt, Hedda Hopper, Emma Dunn, the comic colour cd player Stepin Fctchit, Louis John Bartels, Theodore Von Eltz, Wally Albright, junr., Suzanno Ransom, Gertrude Howard and John Larkin,.

. AT THE REGENT "EAST LYNNE" SUPERB HUMAN DRAMA If the Regent theatre this week establishes a new record for attendance it will bo because "East Lynne" not only represents tho fulfilment of the management’s promise, but because tlie lovely Ann Harding, assisted by 'Clive Brook, Conrad Nagel, Beryl Mercer, Cecilia Loftus and other notable players, gives tho finest pp'rtrayal of her meteoric career. There' is absolutely no doubting the fact that Ann Harding in "East Lynne” attains the highest mark reached by any emotional actress in her characterisation of Isabel. Certainly "East Lynne" of the Movietone era is one of tho most gripping entertainments tho cinema has presented, primarily because it furnishes entertainment that, while making its strongest appeal to feminine theatregoers, cannot help hold the undivided attention of every type of movie fan. The presence of such a brilliant galaxy of popular stars as Ann Harding, Clive Brook and Conrad Nagel in a single picture is in itself an event that stamps the vehicle as one of exceptional merit. Noteworthy portrayals arc also contributed by Beryl Mercer as Joyce, the maid, and by Cecilia Loftus in her Fox film debut as Carlyle’s spinster sister, Cornelia. Others in the cast deserving mention are O. P. Heggie, David Torrence and Flora Sheffield. Put "East Lynne" down as the season’s most powerful drama, one that will grip everybody—a picture that is the new screen at its very best. KOSY THEATRE. "IRON MAN," THRILLING BOXING PICTURE

In "Iron Man,” which is now showing at the Koay theatre, Universal has given Lew Ayres a picture of power, strength, and utter sincerity. It is to the credit of the star —and it is Lew Ayres’ -first real starring picture —that he rises to tho occasion and proves himself an actor, and one which makes no concessions to tho situations or solutions which arc ‘‘typically movie.” It proves with incvitablcncss from start to finish.

Strangely enough, this story, taken from W. R-. Burnett’s novel, is the love story of u man, but not of a woman. Perhaps, as such, it has more appeal to feminine audiences than to masculine, although it is a picture that deals with fights and fighters, and resounds with tho thud of punches in the squarod arena.

"Iron Men” is the tale of the development of a lighter, from the time ho is a ‘‘palooka, ” or ham lighter, until he wins tho lightweight crown. Tho man directly responsible for this result is the fighter’s manager, played by Robert Armstrong, who gives a portrayal which proves again -what an excellent actor ho is. lie knows how to handle his young fistic artist, how to nurso him through his moods, how to deflate his ego at tho proper time, and how to inflate it when it means success.